Clio's $3 million Powerhouse gift fuels the future of entrepreneurship and innovation in Canada

Clio, a global leader in cloud-based legal technology, is making waves in Canada’s entrepreneurial ecosystem with a transformative $3 million donation to UBC Sauder’s Powerhouse Project.  

As one of the largest Powerhouse Project gifts to date, Clio’s contribution underscores a shared vision towards fostering local talent, innovation and sustainable growth. 

"UBC Sauder is a catalyst for world-class talent, shaping the leaders who will define the next wave of transformation,” said Jack Newton, CEO and Co-founder of Clio. “We are incredibly proud to support the Powerhouse Project—a space that will connect ambitious students, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders, sparking game-changing ideas with the discipline and rigor needed to transform industries for generations.” 

This donation will significantly bolster innovation and entrepreneurship at UBC Sauder, creating a long-term impact on students, the entrepreneurial ecosystem and the broader business community. 
 

A hub for entrepreneurship and innovation 

UBC Sauder’s new building will house dynamic and purpose-built spaces, and an entire floor dedicated to innovation and entrepreneurship. Clio’s gift will play a significant role in supporting the connection between students, faculty and industry leaders in addressing complex challenges through creative new solutions and ventures. 

CDL delivers an objectives-based mentorship program for massively scalable, seed-stage science and technology-based companies across sectors such as clean tech, biomedical engineering and computing. 

Participating ventures have the opportunity to interface with and learn from individual and corporate partners, UBC students and pedigreed guests who bring a wide range of domain expertise and ecosystem connections. 

“This new space within the Powerhouse building will be a catalyst for local innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Darrell Kopke, Executive Director of CDL-Vancouver and Lecturer in the Entrepreneurship, Sustainability and Innovation Group at UBC Sauder. “It’s not just about fostering ideas. By bringing together students, faculty and industry leaders, we’re creating an environment that empowers startups to scale and creating opportunities for both students and entrepreneurs to address the challenges that matter to our communities.” 

The space will also support experiential learning through workshops, seminars and accelerators, enabling students and startups to gain practical skills to scale their ventures.
 

Supporting local talent to achieve global impact  

With a commitment to mentorship and nurturing local talent, both critical to bolstering Canada’s innovation landscape, the new space will host initiatives by UBC Sauder’s Centre for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, offering students access to mentorship and resources to transform their ideas into impactful ventures. 

“It’s an incredible privilege for Clio to partner with UBC in creating a mentorship-driven community that nurtures the next generation of Canadian startup success,” said Rian Gauvreau, Co-founder and Board Member of Clio and Founder + CEO at Aeon Health. “While Vancouver and BC provide an excellent foundation for building companies, our hope is that this collaboration between Clio and UBC’s exceptional ecosystem of students and businesses will cultivate the conditions necessary to drive innovation and economic success on a larger scale.” 

The company’s gift will foster an environment where students and young entrepreneurs can benefit from the same kind of support that helped Clio become the global leader it is today. 

This initiative emphasizes the importance of cultivating local talent to compete on the global stage. By reducing reliance on hubs like Silicon Valley, Clio and UBC Sauder aim to support local talent and foster an entrepreneurial ecosystem in British Columbia that drives innovation and economic growth. 

“British Columbia is home to incredible talent with the potential to lead on a global scale,” continued Newton. “Fostering that talent here creates a stronger innovation ecosystem that benefits not only our province but the world. At Clio, we’re proud to invest in initiatives that ensure BC remains a hub for bold ideas and transformative leadership.” 
 

Inspiring the next generation of business leaders 

The Powerhouse Project philosophy goes beyond simply fostering new ideas—it aims to empower future business leaders to use entrepreneurship as a force for good. 

“As I pursue a specialization in finance with a minor in business law, my dream is to create a business that contributes to societal change and inspires others to do so as well,” says Annie Wu, UBC BCom student and recipient of Clio’s IBPOC award. “This award is a significant motivator to keep pushing and striving for a career that aligns with my values of philanthropy. For students like me, awards like this mean the world. Not only do they recognize hard work but also inspire us to keep following our passions, no matter the obstacles.”  

Clio’s continued commitment towards supporting the next generation of socially conscious entrepreneurs ensures that future leaders will be equipped to drive meaningful change in the communities where they live and work. 
 

Leaving a lasting legacy 

Enabling innovation and entrepreneurship drives progress, and Clio’s $3 million gift reinforces a shared commitment to shaping a brighter future. This substantial contribution empowers UBC Sauder to cultivate leaders who can tackle the world’s most pressing challenges with both ingenuity and purpose. 

 
“Clio’s success story is an inspiration to all our students,” says Darren Dahl, Dean of UBC Sauder. “It demonstrates what is possible when innovation is combined with the right support system. We are deeply grateful for this generous contribution that will inspire countless students and entrepreneurs for years to come and shape the future of business education as we know it.”